A FORCE TO RECKON WITH - Zimbabwe reads

In 1973 he completed his B. Bibl. (SA) and the following year BA
(Hons) (SA). In 1974 he decided to pack his bags and see the world. He got
a job as Senior Cataloguer at Georgetown University, Guyana. He then had
a family, having got married in 1969. Together with his family he trekked to
Guyana where they lived for over a year. In 1976 he was back in Africa, this
time at the University of Botswana where he was appointed Chief
Cataloguer. He worked at this University until early 1978 when he resigned
to return to Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe he was appointed Librarian of
Bulawayo Technical College. In early 1979 he was promoted to the post of
Senior Government Librarian. He then transferred to Harare as a result of
this promotion.
As Senior Government Librarian he worked relentlessly to improve
the status of librarians in Government Departments. He fought hard for
Librarians' salaries to be improved, and succeeded. He was always quick to
point out to employers that the library profession should be recognized as
equivalent to other professions. In other words he did marvellous public
relations work for the library profession in Zimbabwe.
His work ethic was 'hard work and honest dealings with your
workmates'. In my close working relationship with him from late 1979 up to
the time of his death in early 1984, this work ethic was always showing. He
never tolerated any shoddy work; he was punctual at work and had a great
love for work even at the time when his health was deteriorating.
Bradshaw was also a prolific contributor to publications on Library and
Information Science. The following are some articles and publications that
he produced during his short but active library career:
1. Education and Rural African Development in Rhodesia: with special
reference to libraries. (In Rhodesian Librarian, Vol. 5 No. 1 Jan 1973)
2. Computerised Circulation Systems in British Libraries: a review. (In
Rhodesian Librarian, Vol. 6 No. 1 Jan 1974)
3. Death of a Profession. (In Rhodesian Librarian, Vol. 8 No. 1 Jan 1976)
4. Directory of Libraries in Botswana, (comp.) 1977
5. Reminiscences and Adventures of a Roving Black Librarian. (In
Rhodesian Librarian, Vol. 10 No. 2 Apr 1978)
6. Periodicals in Botswana Libraries, (comp.) 1978
7. African Small-Scale Entrepreneurship: with special reference to
Botswana. 1981
8. Directory of Zimbabwean Libraries, (comp.) 1981
9. Who's Who in Librarianship and Information Work in Zimbabwe.
(comp.) 1982
At international level he was widely travelled, and he attended
numerous international conferences related to library and information
work. He was also elected to steering committees and working parties at
these international conferences. Outside the library and information world,
he had become very active in several other organizations. At the time of his
death he had been re-elected to his second term in office as President of
the Zimbabwe Public Servants Association; he was Chairman of the
Bernard Mzeki College Trust Executive Committee; a member of the
Zimbabwe Christian Care (an organization responsible for providing relief
to victims of Zimbabwe's liberation war), and a member of the
Zimbabwe Institute of Management.
It will be seen from the brief account given above that at the age of 39
the death of Bradshaw was a tremendous blow and loss to Zimbabwe. He
was a young man who had set his sights on developing Zimbabwe in any
way he could. He was tireless in his determination to improve the imaee of
the library profession in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. All those who
served with him professionally will miss him. May he rest in peace.
S R Dube
Acting Senior Government Librarian
Government Library Service
NATIONAL ARCHIVES PUBLICATIONS TRUST
ZIMBABWE EPIC
In this unique pictorial on Zimbabwe the National Archives presents the fruit of years
of research and international quest for illustrations.
Extensive and fascinating information on the history and culture of the people of
Zimbabwe (to whom this volume is dedicated) is here brought together in a single
source-book, something that has never before been done. The period covered is
immense — from the probable origins of man in Africa millions of years ago, to this
country's great pre-colonial states, on to the restoration of independence in 1980.
Much of the information comes from the latest archaeological and historical research
and many of the photographs (including those taken during the liberation struggle of
the 1970s) have never before been published.
Thanks to a UNESCO grant the book is sold at a subsidised rate with the intention of
reaching as many Zimbabweans as possible. The text and pictures are a mine of
information and interest, bringing to life the previously-neglected heritage of the
people, and presented in such a way as to appeal to all age groups.
280 pages, with 12 colour and 570 black and white illustrations,
including maps, diagrams and reconstructions.
— NEW EDITION AVAILABLE —
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